CROWN POINT | A Gary man was charged in Lake Criminal Court Monday with beating his girlfriend in front of one of their children and stealing the victim's purse.

Lawrence Reese Jr., 22, faces domestic battery and theft charges after punching the mother of his two children Saturday, Lake County court documents state.

According to court records, Reese punched the woman in front of their 1-year-old child after the woman told him she was pregnant with another man's children. After punching her, Reese stole the woman's purse, containing $185, and ran out of her house, court documents state.